Jump Scare
One of the key advantages of having teenagers in your home is the unlimited introduction of new “English” terms and phrases into a parent’s vocabulary.
I use the word vocabulary loosely, as parents are allowed to listen to such words ad nauseum, but they are strictly prohibited from using them due to their overabundant lack of coolness.
My wife and I have survived the passing fad of sus. We now live in a world that includes bet, bussin, idk, w rizz, and jump scare. Never a dull linguistic moment in my house (or, more likely, vehicle where conversations actually occur).
Personally, I find “jump scare” to be an odd choice to add to a teenager’s lexicon. First, it is actual English. Perhaps they are unaware of this disqualification. Second, it takes far too long to speak for a two-syllable phrase. Third, they apply the phrase to events that are clearly not jump scares. I guess that should not really surprise me.
We are in that time of year where jump scares are celebrated. Horror movies attempt to shock our senses. Haunted houses litter the landscape with promises of screams. There literally could be a jump scare surprise around every dark corner.
Honestly, I kind of feel that way about the world right now. I feel there are potential jump scares in economies, in politics, and in conflicts throughout the world.
If you watch a horror movie or go to a haunted house, you should expect to be scared. Thankfully, your reflexive jump scares typically give way to rationale thought processes once the movie is over or you find the exit door for the haunted house.
When you live in the world we live in and when you invest in the markets we invest in, you should expect occasional jump scares. They are completely unpredictable, but thoroughly not unexpected. They are part of the experience.
The key to surviving market jump scares is to not overreact to them. Remaining calm, cool, and collective during scary times takes significant preparation in the form of financial planning and portfolio design. It requires confidence accumulated through valuable (though sometimes difficult) lessons learned during past market jump scare moments. It can even be the recognition of opportunity while others are overreacting.
Whatever financial jump scares you may encounter in the next few days, the next few months, or the next few years, our experienced advisors are always here to help you prepare for them or get you through them.
Quote of the week: Carl Richards: “The biggest risk investors face is getting scared out of their plans at exactly the wrong time.”
